Best Lawyers in America has named Michael W. Thal (Lang & Klain, P.C.) its “Lawyer of the Year” (Scottsdale) for Construction Litigation. Best Lawyers is widely trusted for recognizing legal excellence. Thal’s “Lawyer of the Year” selection reflects his receiving the highest peer feedback statewide among construction litigation attorneys in Scottsdale and the East Valley. “It’s an honor to be thought of highly by other Valley construction lawyers,” Thal commented when informe

Jason Clark of Lang & Klain: A Law Firm for Business and Construction Under Arizona’s Purchaser Dwelling Act (PDA), a purchaser of a residence is barred from filing a construction defect lawsuit until the purchaser gives the seller – including residential contractors – reasonable notice of the alleged defects and an opportunity to cure them. The PDA is contained in A.R.S. §§ 12-1361 to -1366. It was enacted in 2002 and has been amended multiple times, most recently in 2019. G

As you work your way through the recent economic downturn and rebound, you may have concerns about meeting your contractual obligations or enforcing the obligations that other parties owe to you. In adapting your business practices to comply with CDC guidelines and the Governor's orders, it is critical that you understand the provisions of your contracts and the steps you can take to protect yourself and your business. CHECK YOUR CONTRACTS Does your contract contain force maj

With the global pandemic's devastating effect on the nation's health and economy, business interruption and other losses caused by the coronavirus are projected to total in the billions of dollars. Understandably, business owners are worried about how it will all impact their operations, and whether they have any recourse for their financial losses. You would be wise to proactively review your insurance policies to determine whether any virus-related losses may be covered. Wh

In a May 2019 article, we warned contractors to beware of the dangers hackers looking to snag online payments. Today, the danger is greater than ever, and it isn't limited to contractors. Any business (and any person anywhere) using e-mail, remote access, or online programs to conduct their business or finances is vulnerable to hacking. Those vulnerabilities are magnified by the measures governments around the world and in the U.S. are taking to slow the spread of the nov

In December 2017, Lang & Klain partner Mike Thal successfully defended Phoenix contractor Rondo Pools and Spas, Inc., in a breach of contract lawsuit and, in a counterclaim against the plaintiff homeowner, won an award of more than $310,000. On May 26, 2019, the Arizona Court of Appeals upheld the verdict and award. The case provides practical lessons for contractors in managing workmanship complaints (see "Keys to Victory, Contract Addition" below). Background In November 20

Richard A. Friedlander, a five-time Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" (Phoenix) in three practice categories, joined Lang & Klain this month. In his mediation and arbitration practice, Rick offers industry- and matter-specific litigation experience in construction, real estate, complex commercial litigation, and title and escrow disputes. Rick is licensed to practice law in Arizona and Illinois and has been a Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers honoree since 2007. Active in the c